Cancer prevention for children is generally a fairly straightforward task. Parents can feed their children healthy meals, encourage plenty of exercise, ensure they're wearing sunscreen, and teach them about the dangers of tobacco use. One cancer prevention tactic has become a bit more controversial in recent years though, despite its very direct impact on preventing cancer. The HPV vaccination can protect against cervical cancer, anal cancer, and several oral cancers, to name a few.

In recent months the Nevada Cancer Coalition has been working on the Smoke Free Meetings project, and exciting opportunity through partnership with the Washoe County Health District. The project is two-fold. First, we’re expanding the list of recognized indoor locations for smoke free meetings within Washoe County, Storey County and Carson City. Second, we’re encouraging businesses and organizations to voluntarily adopt a smoke free meetings policy, essentially committing to only host or sponsor meetings in smoke free indoor locations.  

The Affordable Care Act has not only expanded healthcare coverage to millions of people who previously lacked insurance, but has taken a step to improve health outcomes by making preventive health services more accessible and affordable. All healthcare marketplace plans and many other healthcare plans, including non-grandfathered private insurance plans, must cover a list of preventive services (also known as the Essential Health Benefits) without charging a co-payment, co-insurance, or other cost-sharing, regardless if the yearly deductible has been met.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than one million people in the United States are at increased risk for adverse health outcomes due genetic factors such as Lynch syndrome and hereditary breast/ovarian cancer. In recent years the BRCA1 and BRCA2 genetic mutations that can contribute to a woman’s breast cancer risk have earned more time in the spotlight, most notably a year ago with Angelina Jolie’s highly publicized decision based on having the gene.

Each year at the annual Nevada Cancer Control Summit we are lucky to be able to honor the organizations and individuals in Nevada who have exemplified the essence of passion and leadership in cancer control in their respective community, region, or statewide.  The Denise Dunning Awards are given in memory of Denise Faye Dunning, whose passion and leadership was crucial to advancing cancer prevention, control, and treatment in Nevada.  As the State Comprehensive Cancer Control Coordinator, Ms.